TOYS FOR VISUAL DEVELOPMENT

As 2020 draws to a close, many people will be breathing a sigh of relief to put this difficult year behind them. But for many the coming festive season brings mixed feelings with it. There is the anticipation of celebrating with family and friends, albeit under strict rules, but also the financial anxiety of having to spend wisely. Children look forward to the excitement of receiving gifts and many families need to cut back on those. However, with careful thought by parents, the choice of gifts and toys can still delight the young family members.

Play is not simply a matter of having fun. It is important for the social, mental, physical and emotional development of children. Children use play to process information and make sense of their world. It stimulates the development of crucial skills for learning and helps children to understand their thoughts and feelings and learn how to deal with them. Toys that help facilitate this are not simply playthings but are tools on this important childhood journey.

The visual system is the most complex sensory system in the body but is the least mature system at birth. The progress from the blurry world of the newborn to the sophisticated ability to handle complex visual tasks is enhanced through the careful selection of toys and activities which stimulate this process. By following certain guidelines parents can choose toys that are appropriate yet fun, toys that offer a good balance between enriching the child's skills and providing opportunities for creativity.

Choose the Right Toys for the Right Age

Because all children develop at their own pace, their developmental age may not necessarily align with their actual or chronological age. Children enjoy toys that they can master and that are right for their particular stage of development and level of ability. Be guided by the age recommendation on the packaging, but don't ignore the child's interests, preferences and skills.

Make sure that Toys are Safe

		Toddlers have a tendency to put toys in their mouths so ensure that they are not made of toxic materials, do not have sharp edges and do not pose a choking hazard with small parts that can detach easily. Can the toy withstand the type of rough handling it might be subjected to as part of the child's play?

The Simpler the Better

		Toys that do too much do not stimulate creativity or the opportunity for discovery. Many toys are ablaze with lights and sounds which require a child to observe and react but not take charge of the play situation, promoting a passive rather than active learning style. When a toy is too specific, it is limiting, and denies the child the ability to use his or her imagination. The best toys are often the simplest ones, like blocks, because they allow children to be creative and spontaneous and direct their own play.

Educational Toys

So-called "educational toys" make claims that play on parents' anxiety that their children need to learn as much as they can as soon as possible using the "right" materials. Not all such toys are inherently wrong for children but need to be selected with care. Often the toys that offer the best learning experiences are the toys that stimulate child-generated thought and creativity.

Electronic Toys

We live in an increasingly electronic world in which even toddlers are able to master games on phones and computers. Many of these have value in terms of development, but it is crucial to set limits on the time spent playing with them and to balance them with a variety of other toys and activities. Parents need to be aware of the effect that prolonged uninterrupted screen time has on the eyes and visual development.

Price Versus Value

Parents are well aware of how expensive toys can be, but higher price does not necessarily equate with better stimulation value. Less expensive toys at the age and interest level of the child can be just as effective in fostering visual development as costly toys.

One Toy, Many Activities

		The same toy can be used in a variety of activities and by children of various ages. Some toys, like building blocks, are specifically designed to be versatile and grow with a child, carrying him or her through a number of developmental stages.

Books

		Children need to hear stories read aloud as well as spend quiet time alone enjoying books. Stories stimulate the imagination of children and becoming familiar with paging through books from an early age begins the process of learning to read.

Creative Toys

Drawing, painting and playing with clay and other art materials stimulate self-expression. Children learn from following directions and gain satisfaction in completing a creative project.

The world of play and toys provides learning experiences, skill development, thinking, problem solving and emotional growth. It should include surprises, new experiences, entertainment and amusement. Toys should excite and delight children. The world of play and toys should be FUN!